Tragedy struck in the early hours of Wednesday in Nyanya, Abuja, when a policeman allegedly beat up and killed one Ogar Jombo, a two-star officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for violating traffic rules.
The incident happened near a branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) around Nyanya market, when the deceased was driving his two children and wife. His children were on their way to school. It was gathered that he made a U-turn at the wrong spot, but was flagged by the police officers on duty in the area.
Findings revealed that Ogar pleaded that he was rushing to drop the children in school. Ogar was in uniform and also identified himself as an officer.
However, all entreaties made by the deceased fell on deaf ears, as one of the police officers jumped on the bonnet of the vehicle, while the other one descended on him with a baton. At this point, his wife and children intervened and pleaded on his behalf. He was, however, allegedly beaten to a stupor and died in the process.
One of his children was quoted as saying: “Please, don’t kill my father; leave my father alone.”
When sources visited the Asokoro General Hospital, the remains of the deceased had been deposited at the morgue, while his wife and some sympathisers were seen weeping profusely.
Efforts to get a word from his wife, identified as Ada, proved futile as she was very emotional.
According to passers-by, the Police had attempted to take the corpse away with a view to dumping him somewhere, but they intervened and followed them to the hospital where the corpse was deposited.
Bala Ciroma, the Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who was at the General Hospital to console the family of the deceased, has ordered the arrest of the officers who committed the crime.
There is palpable tension in the area as youth and relatives of the deceased have vowed to burn down Nyanya Police Station if the officers involved in the act are not arrested and prosecuted. The slain officer hails from Otukpo in Benue State and was recently promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Corps (ASC).
